Dr William Robert Wilson Jr.

Dr. Willam R. (“Doc”) Wilson, Jr., of Robbins, passed away at 87 on January 16, 2024.

Dr. Wilson grew up in Keysville. VA, and graduated from Randolph-Henry High School.  He went on to attend Virginia Tech and completed his doctorate in veterinary medicine at the University of Georgia in 1962. After finishing his studies he served as a veterinarian in the US Air Force in Nevada and New Mexico during the active phase of nuclear testing.  He left military duty in the mid-1960s, but he continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve.

Following his discharge. he chose to make his home in Robbins, where he pursued his professional career and set up his veterinary practice, serving his community caring for lab animals, farm animals, and pets alike.  Working with North Carolina State University he researched chicken diseases (and ostriches).  He took care of his relatives’ and friends’ cats and dogs too, always being available with nutritional supplements and medical wisdom.   In return, his many friends in Robbins cared for him lovingly in his retirement.  

Dr. Wilson was an avid reader and walker throughout his life.  He was a member of Elise Presbyterian Church in Robbins, and thoroughly enjoyed hearing the music the church played each day around noon. 

Uncle Bill enjoyed enlivening family holidays talking about history, politics, or the excesses of Big Poultry; he also took delight in pulling his sister’s chain by feeding his dogs from the dinner table.  

Dr. Wilson is survived – and will be sorely missed — by his three nephews:  Wilson Lowry (Chris), of Watertown, MA, Robert Lowry (Tracy), of Ashburn, VA, and Stuart Lowry (Caroline) of Lousia, VA, and their families.  He was preceded in death by his parents – William R. Wilson, Sr., and Mabel Cline Wilson – and his sister, Elizabeth Wilson Lowry (George).  He was also preceded in death by his many beloved cats and dogs, including Baby, Big Foot, Feisty, Rufus, and most irreplaceably, Spike.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at Elise Presbyterian Church in Robbins at 2 PM on Saturday, February 3, 2024 followed by a Memorial Celebration in Doc’s honor at 3:30 PM at Carolina Fried Chicken in Robbins.